Lithobid

The active ingredient in Lithobid is lithium carbonate, which is a mood stabiliser. It's unclear how lithium works, but it's considered to influence the amounts of specific neurotransmitters in the brain that control mood.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Lithobid. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Lithobid:

• Never use Lithobid in larger doses or for longer than recommended. An overdose can develop if you take even slightly more than the advised dose.
• Swallow the tablet whole; do not chew, crush, or break it.
• Call your doctor if you have a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or if you are sweating excessively. You can easily become dehydrated while taking Lithobid, which may affect your dosage requirements. Do not change your dose or prescription schedule without consulting your doctor first.
• Drink plenty of fluids every day to avoid dehydration.
• Do not change the amount of salt in your diet. Changing your salt intake can change the lithium levels in your blood.
• It may be up to three weeks before your symptoms improve. Continue taking the medication as instructed, and notify your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after one week of treatment.

Some mild and common side effects of Lithobid include:

• Excessive urination (polyuria).
• Hand trembling or shaking.
• Lightheadedness.
• Slurred speech.
• Drowsiness.
• Blurred vision.
• Dry mouth.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Lithobid. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Serotonin syndrome: rapid heartbeat, dizziness, perspiration, flushing, tremors, stiff or twitching muscles, poor coordination, agitation, seizures, hallucinations, and coma.
• Risk of lithium toxicity: respiratory issues, seizures, coma, kidney failure, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, confusion, impaired vision, and poor balance, speech, or coordination.
• Kidney damage: frequent urination, leg oedema, and weariness.
• High brain pressure/ocular swelling: severe headache behind the eyes, ringing in the ears, blurred or double vision, or potential blindness. Lithium can increase the pressure around the brain, a serious condition called pseudotumor cerebri (or increased intracranial pressure).
• Encephalopathic syndrome: fever, confusion, drowsiness, difficulty speaking, uncontrolled body movements, and unusual tiredness or muscle weakness.
• Low sodium levels: nausea, weariness, headache, confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, seizures, and unconsciousness.
• High calcium levels: fatigue, weak muscles, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, bone pain, depression, and confusion.
• Brugada syndrome is characterised by an abnormal ECG, unprovoked fainting, and irregular heartbeat.
• Serious life-threatening allergic reaction: hives, skin rash, or swelling in the face or throat.
• Thyroid problems, high thyroid levels (hyperthyroidism), low thyroid levels (hypothyroidism), and goiters. Symptoms include weight gain or loss, tremors, muscle pain, feeling hot or cold, sweating, tiredness or weakness, changes to your hair or skin, fast or pounding heartbeats, anxiety, or agitation.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Lithobid. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Lithobid, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including:

• Breathing issues.
• Heart disease.
• Kidney disease.
• A thyroid condition.
• Electrolyte imbalances.
• An abnormal electrocardiogram or ECG (also known as an EKG).
• Fainting spells.
• A family member who died before the age of 45.
• You are taking medications that increase serotonin levels.
• Stop using Lithobid and call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of lithium toxicity: muscle weakness, twitching, drowsiness, feeling light-headed, mood changes, blurred vision.

Boxed Warning

Toxicity is closely connected to serum lithium concentrations and can occur at doses near therapeutic levels; serum lithium levels should be measured to monitor therapy.

Before starting therapy, identify equipped facilities that can give timely and accurate serum lithium concentration data.

Allergy to any lithium-containing product.

Lithobid (lithium carbonate) does not work immediately. Mania in bipolar disorder sometimes takes 1 to 3 weeks to notice symptom improvement. Long-term mood stabilization benefits accumulate gradually, and doctors typically monitor blood levels frequently to ensure the dose is both safe and effective.

When Lithobid is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Carbamazepine.
• St. John’s Wort.
• Acetazolamide.
• Buspirone.
• Metronidazole.
• Phenytoin.
• SGLT2 inhibitors like canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, or empagliflozin
• Fentanyl.
• Tramadol.
• Tryptophan.
• Methyldopa.
• NSAID’s.
• MAOI’s.
• Sodium bicarbonate.

Diuretics.

Extended-release tablets containing lithium (Lithobid):

Manic episodes: The normal dose is 900 mg orally twice a day, or 600 mg three times per day. The total daily dosage is 1,800 mg.

Long-term control: The normal dose is 600 mg by mouth twice a day. The total daily dosage is 1,200 mg.

Store at room temperature and keep out of reach of children.

Solvay Pharmaceuticals, which later became part of AbbVie, is the pharmaceutical company that manufactures Lithobid.

Several lower-cost generic versions of Lithobid are available.

You should not stop taking Lithobid (lithium carbonate) abruptly. Stopping abruptly can cause your mood problems to return or worsen, and in some situations, a manic or depressed relapse. If you and your doctor decide it's time to discontinue, the dose is usually gradually reduced over many weeks while monitoring your mood and lithium blood levels to prevent hazards.

It is not known if this medication can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are already pregnant or if you have any plans to become pregnant. They will know or recommend what is best for you.

Lithobid is found in breast milk. You should not breastfeed while using this medication.